Manchester City ‘make formal offer’ for Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri after identifying midfielder as potential Fernandinho replacement
The Spain international is seen as a long-term successor to the Brazilian, who missed City’s final four games of the season with a knee injury
Manchester City have made a ‘formal offer’ to sign Atletico Madrid star Rodri, according to reports.
Rodri, who has shone in his debut season at Atletico, has a £61.2million release clause and could follow Antoine Griezmann out of the door after the Frenchman announced he would be leaving the club this summer.
With Diego Godin and Juanfran set to leave, too, Atletico boss Diego Simeone will be reluctant to lose Rodri.
But Spanish outlet say the 22-year-old is ‘very near’ to agreeing a deal to move to the Etihad Stadium and is attracted by the prospect of playing under Pep Guardiola.
Rodri, a defensive midfielder, has been compared to Barcelona ace Sergio Busquets.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo hinted the club would not block a potential exit for Rodri if the right offer was made and the player wanted to leave.
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He said: “Today, Rodrigo is an Atletico player. But if tomorrow he has an offer and wants to go...”
Guardiola has played John Stones, Fabian Delph and Ilkay Gundogan in a holding midfield role when Fernandinho has been crocked this season.
It is understood that the City boss wants a natural defensive midfielder to compete with the Brazilian next term.